The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is located between California and Hawaii and is known to be the largest of 5 offshore plastic accumulation zones. It is estimated that 1.15 to 2.41 million tons of plastic are entering the ocean each year from rivers alone. At least half of this plastic is floating on the surface of the sea because it is less dense than water. Once plastic enters the zone they are unlikely to leave the area until they degrade into microplastics under the effects of sun, waves and marine life. Most debris consists of small plastic particles just below the surface, making it difficult to accurately detect by aircraft or satellite. Instead, the size of the patch is determined by sampling.
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch covers an estimated surface area of 1.6 million square kilometers, an area twice the size of Texas or three times the size of France.
Not only does plastic pollution in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch pose risks for the safety and health of marine animals, but there are health and economic implications for humans as well.
The Effects on Marine Life and Humans
The United Nations Ocean Conference estimated that the oceans might contain more weight in plastics than fish by the year 2050. Due to its size and color, animals confuse the plastic for food, causing malnutrition. It also poses entanglement risks and threatens their overall behavior, health, and existence. Fish, sea turtles, and birds feed at the surface meaning they all ingest plastic thinking it is food. When marine life consumes plastic it enters the food chain, this can lead to greater problems when species that have consumed plastic are being eaten by other predators. This process is called bioaccumulation.
Affects the Economy
The United Nations reported that the approximate environmental damage caused by plastic to marine ecosystems represents 13 billion USD. This figure included the cost of beach cleanups and the financial loss incurred by fisheries.